LION ROARING TO GO
LEADER WRITER (nap) can give trainer Henry Spiller the biggest victory of his career by landing the Lincoln (3.35, ITV4) as the turf Flat season gets underway at Doncaster.
DONCASTER RUNNERS: PAGES 4&5 GRAND NATIONAL favourite Blaklion is back in “flying form” after a wind operation.
The Nigel Twiston-Davies nine-year-old, fourth to One For Arthur at Aintree last April, was beaten 54 lengths when second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock last month.
But Twiston-Davies (right), twice a National hero with Earth Summit in 1998 and Bindaree four years later, is confident Blaklion — the 12-1 market leader for the world’s most famous steeplechase — is back to his best after going under the knife.
“He had a soft palate operation,” revealed the trainer. “We thought there would be an explanation as to why he stopped at Haydock. “But he’s in flying form now — I’m really pleased with him and am looking forward to Aintree.” But last year’s runner-up Cause Of Causes will not line up on April 14 after pulling up lame in the Cross Country at Cheltenham last week.